OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to compare the data of three-dimensional soft tissue obtained by using a three-dimensional digital photogrammetry and the two-dimensional data obtained by using a conventional cephalometry.

METHODSThree-dimensional characters of facial soft tissue were obtained by using four digital cameras. The authors developed necessary hardware and software systems and applied in stereophotogrammetry to obtain the data of three-dimensional facial soft tissues. A total of 40 people with normal occlusion, including 20 males and 20 females, were examined with both three-dimensional soft tissue facial morphometry and cephalometry. Three-dimensional soft tissue facial morphometry was performed, and their relations with facial cephalometry were analyzed.

RESULTSSignificant correlations were found between 6 pairs of linear measurements, 4 pairs of angular measurements and 3 pairs of linear distant ratio measurements. The data obtained by three-dimensional facial soft tissue morphometry and two-dimensional cephalometry was identical.

CONCLUSIONThere was a correlation between the three-dimensional soft tissue facial morphometry and facial cephalometry. The data obtained by the three-dimensional soft tissue facial morphometry can partially represent facial hard tissue.